Moscow: Expressing readiness to "closely interact" with Russia for achieving common goals, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that New Delhi will continue to stick to its policy of further strengthening strategic partnership with Moscow.

In his message to President Vladimir Putin on "Russia Day", being celebrated today (Jun 12, 2004), Singh lauded the Russian leader for his personal contribution in strengthening bilateral Indo-Russian relations and expressed readiness to "closely interact with him in the interest of achieving common goals".

"We are awaiting for your India visit later this year, which will allow to take new initiatives in bilateral cooperation and would give a new fillip to the interaction of the two nations," Singh was quoted as saying in a Kremlin release.

Singh assured Putin that India would continue to stick to its policy of further strengthening strategic partnership with Russia.

Putin is scheduled to visit India on his third official visit for the annual Indo-Russian summit, which has become a regular feature in bilateral relations since 2000.

June 12 is a national holiday in Russia to mark the Soviet Russia's declaration of sovereignty this day in 1991.

Since last year, it is celebrated as "Russia Day" with "Parade of Regions" at historic Red Square, in which all the 89 regions of Russian Federation demonstrate their economic achievements and culture on the pattern of India's Republic Day, however, unlike last year, there will not be aerobatics by Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters.